Jessica's blog from Kigali: Rwanda's poverty down by 12%!

"Poverty down by 12%!" reads the headlines on February 7th, my first day in Kigali. I didn't have the chance to buy a newspaper directly so that day after when approached by a newspaperman offering today's paper for 700 francs (approx. 7sek), I tell him that I'm actually interested in yesterday's paper. To my delight he pulls out one copy, but wants 1500 francs (15sek). "What? The old paper can't cost more than today's paper!" My understanding of the theory of economics says that minimized demand should lead to a price reduction. But the newspaper mans replies, "It costs more because you want it, and I'm the only one with a copy!" I couldn't argue with his interpretation of supply and demand. We settled at 1000 francs, and I go on to read about Rwanda's development results.

The government announced the results of two surveys showing that the number of people living in poverty has been reduced from 56,7% to 44,9% in five years, an annual average of 2,4% which is unique for Africa. These results can only be compared with China, Vietnam and Thailand. At the same time maternal and infant mortality has been reduced by 50%. Rwanda's government is exemplary in managing for results, and they have the numbers to show that it works.

I feel thrilled to have the opportunity to be in Kigali at this time, my first time here. So much impresses me about the city that stands out on the African continent: it's clean, well kept streets and greenery, no tobacco billboards, peaceful traffic with hardly any honking, and a lovely ambiance that strikes me as stress-free. 

I'm here to support Rwanda's Gender Monitoring Office with developing their results framework for their strategic plan through facilitating a workshop. Rwanda's Gender Monitoring Office is a relatively young institution, with a mandate to monitor and evaluate the implementation of gender principles and support the fight against gender based violence in all sectors at all levels in Rwanda. The GMO staff work on developing their theory of change and in the process we explore how to make their work more focused on results.

Rwanda instils in me a feeling of hope. It's thrilling to see a country with committed people who are devoted to achieving ambitious development results, and have already attained impressive progress. I look forward to the next opportunity to work in Rwanda again.